iklgizmo

Looks like the mind games from Hayes have worked by 'conceding' the league last week.

City had almost 2 hands on the trophy after 88 minutes today, then arsenal ended up beating them!

Chelsea currently 7-0 up against Bristol City to equal City's goal difference!

15 hours ago, O Neill said:

 

I think this bit in your post is key. Chelsea have spent a huge deal on women's football, perhaps more than anyone else in the world, but the landscape has shifted rapidly over the last few years. I don't want to discredit what Hayes has achieved, her success has been remarkable, and you can only work with what's in front of you. However, others are starting to catch up, after years of disinterest. We are starting to see professional coaching setups, academy systems and more clubs having the money to lure in top players from abroad.

 

As someone inside the game, I can tell you that in previous years Chelsea were running an impressive operation. Up in Scotland, Erin Cuthbert's father was operating as a scout. If he saw any player in the SWPL league that he thought was worth a look, he'd notify the club, and since the game was amateur up here, Chelsea could speak to, and sign the player, without ever having to talk to their club. I'd imagine they were running a country wide network of scouting the best talents, and being able to bring them in to their academy, without much opposition. That changed about 5 years back when the game up here turned professional, and now that ability to operate so freely has disappeared. On top of that, every other WSL club is now operating similar scouting networks.

 

I have to admit, I'm not sure if Hayes has made a great move, taking on the USA job. I know it is widely regarded as the top job in women's football right now, but I think they could be on a downward trend. The domestic league over there remains strong, with not only the college system producing players, but being the central focus for both North America and South America. However, I think as the WSL grows over the next five years, that we may find the balance of power continues to move away from the USA. The European nations are rapidly getting better too. I'm not overly convinced that we'll see the USA win the World Cup again in the short term. If she can achieve that though, then it will certainly be an impressive feat.

I think with the US, they have sooooo much talent, a lot of the problem is trying to pick the right people. They still have some of the best players in the world, but they've not taken well to being knocked off thir perch now that European teams have caught up to them.

On paper she seems like the perfect person for the job, but I really hope she fails.....

7 minutes ago, FloydianMag said:

SSN: Fran Kirby is leaving Chelsea after 10 years…………..no mention of retiring or owt, I wonder if Amanda’s been on the phone and made her an offer she can’t refuse? Mind I could be well wide of the mark🤷‍♂️

Her partner announced she was leaving the club yesterday too, wouldn't be suprised if they both ended up in the NWSL!!!

It's been strange watching her this last few months! She seems rattled, and I've never seen her like this! 

I wonder if the pressure of taking the USA job has got to her a bit.

It is the biggest job in women's football by a mile, and she's been very comfortable at chelsea for some time with huge, unrivalled backing, and not a great deal of pressure!

I've seen the mock ups of the stadium with the east stand closed in with glass, is that actually feasible? I guess like the Aviva Stadium?

Yea I don't think there are a huge number of coaches/managers in the women's game with a proven track record, so it would be crazy not to give her a chance! I'm assuming the guy we got from Forest was brought in to add that bit of experience.

Would be interesting to see if any of the WSL clubs would loan us some players, or if they'll be reluctant as they won't want us progressing too fast and mixing things up!

Read on twitter today that with Bristol City being relegated, the WSL is now full of clubs backed by Premier league teams for the first time!

For context though, Bristol City have been averaging home crowds of about 7k all season despite not winning a single game at home, and already committed to playing all their home games at ashton gate again. I would expect them to be favourites to win the championship next year and go straight back up!

2nd leg of the women's champions league semi final on TNT at the moment if anyone is interested

Hayes has done a bit of a Klopp as in she announced she was leaving at the end of the season, and they were on for the quadruple. She's since lost the league cup final and been knocked out of the FA Cup.

They have a 1 nil advantage from the first leg in this one though! 

1 hour ago, TRC said:

Foden

Palmer

Son

Bruno F

Gordon

 

Isak

Haaland

Jackson

 

I get it, it picks itself in some ways as Arsenal and Liverpool don't double.

I've got that on my wildcard, but who the hell do you drop to the bench this week?? Haaland?

18 minutes ago, leffe186 said:

Ireland Women’s coach is an extraordinary-looking person.

I got Jedward vibes!!

2 hours ago, Yorkie said:

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68727018

 

In the clip on there, the Arsenal manager is quite clearly not the aggressor, both in the altercation with that knob Hayes, and earlier with the Chelsea player.

The issue was , apparently Chelsea didnt want to play a multi ball game, so it was agreed only the match ball would be in use.

Once arsenal scored, Chelsea needed to speed the game up so when Erin Cuthbert wanted to take a quick throw in with a new ball, the arsenal manager rightly booted off!

Chelsea very very rarely lose in any competition, and they don't lose well at all!!!

I personally think she should have been charged, it was an act of aggression, and there is no way she could have contested it!

Tickets on sale for the Lionesses game at St James' from today!

Would be great to get a sell out!!

Can you get hospitality tickets for their games at KP? Can't seem to find anything 

Can I just say, I've followed women's football for years, and I've seen the growth for myself, but it is so refreshing to read the views of people on here!

I know there will always be people who go for the easy/lazy criticism, but reading all of your positive comments and seeing how everyone is getting behind the team, is honestly amazing!!

I cant wait to see how the sport continues to grow, and knowing Newcastle United are now going to be a major part of that, and are going to have the backing of the fans, it's just brilliant!!

This is awesome, I've been hoping this would happen eventually!

Sunderland sold out last year when they hosted, so hopefully we can too!

3 minutes ago, OpenC said:

 

I'm not sure it's massively more. Friend of mine is going to the Manchester derby at the Etihad and I'm sure she said she paid £34 for two tickets.

I went to the Manchester women's Derby at the etihad last season. Decided to treat ourselves and got to experience 'the tunnel club' for £105 each!! 

11 minutes ago, pubteam said:

They sold out the Emirates today according to talksport, it was the largest football crowd today.

They've averaged 35k this season, with half their games being at the Emirates and half at Borehamwood. They're strides ahead of all other women's teams when it comes to attendances.

I think they've sold out hospitality at the Emirates for the last 2 games too, which as we all know Is where the money us!!

Man city look so slow and pedestrian, atmosphere to match too!!

On 01/03/2024 at 23:20, Yorkie said:

Loved listening to Amber-Keegan Stobbs on PotT. Her story about becoming Newcastle mad after visiting grandparents and uncles/aunties in the North-East reflected my own situation really closely. 

 

I haven't seen much of the footy if I'm honest but quite enjoying getting to know some of the players. 

 

Are they gonna annihilate the Championship as well or is there a bit of a jump in quality between tiers 2 and 3?

It's a really big step up. A lot of teams in that league are already pro or semi-pro do we won't have that advantage anymore.

I think we will probably try to establish ourselves for a couple of seasons in that league, and then push on to the WSL. 

We need to go down the route Man U did and try to attract a few WSL players maybe coming towards the end of their career, as well as trying to poach more local talent from Durham/Sunderland who have both been in that league for a while.

If Sunderland do go up this year, there will likely be a few players who won't be good enough for the WSL that we could encourage to come to us!!

What is actually classed as 'match day revenue'? Is Shearers/will the Stack be included?

If so, could they look to have more places around the stadium? Even places season ticket holders could go pre match that isn't the cold, dirty, squished in concourse, but that they maybe have to pay a bit to get into?

53 minutes ago, Dr. TC said:

I wasn't clear about what I meant about the venue. I live in Cambridge so Luton works really well for me, but is inconvenient for others. I was hoping that would make it easier to get a ticket. 

Ah sorry, misunderstood you. Fingers crossed you manage to get one.

if you're not already, i would follow fawnl on twitter for ticket updates.

3 minutes ago, Wallsendmag said:

 

Seriously? 

 

Is it something to do with Twitter like? Doesn't give the competition much credibility if whatever these are can make it to a National Final.

They're second in the southern equivalent of our league, so fairly similar position to us

10 hours ago, Dr. TC said:

What do we reckon the ticket situation will be for the final? I would love to take my daughter to this but I don't have a season ticket or membership. 11k capacity seems small after today's 22k, but it's a long journey compared to playing at St James'

It won't be linked to season tickets/membership, its entirely seperate.

I'm not sure how the tickets will work, but I would imagine it'll be first come serve.

I'm not even sure there will be much segregation between fans, if any at all, its not all that common in women's football.

Also with regards to the choice of stadium, I would be amazed if they changed it, they made quite a big thing of it being there and I wouldn't imagine in precious years they have got much of an attendance. 

Hopefully we can change that this year, but travel looks like a nightmare!

First time ive been able to watch them live this season, and the the standard is so much better than last season!

Couple of observations -

Should have had the game wrapped up by half time!

Our keeper made a great save just before half time, that shows the difference it makes having an actual goalkeeper coach at the club (which is extremely rare in the women's game outside of the WSL).

We need to learn some game management, 7 minutes added on after we scored, and not once did we take it to the corner, which allowed them a couple of chances to equalise.

As someone else has already said, the final being in Luton is absolutely ridiculous!

Great result though, and you could see what the occasion meant to the players

Anyone know if you can use your magpie mover tomorrow? I can't see anything so I'm assuming not

Also agree that location is key! It's easier for Arsenal fans to get to the Emirates than it is Borehamwood!